Point to Point Trails — Attraction in Medora

Parents, please read: I had a capital G great time on this trail in August 2025, but there are some caveats that cannot be understated. Our party was two adults and a ten-year old - I mention this because I would not absolutely advise bringing children who are not experienced with hiking nor have demonstrable history with surefootedness on this short trek. For all adults, and anybody with even a mild fear of heights: this is a hike best enjoyed by somebody with a head for heights. I would also highly recommend some solid hiking boots, and to grab a trail map.

We began near the mini golf course, walked up to the cable ladder to Shafer point, and took the trail and descended Stable Ridge. The walk up to the cable ladder is incredibly brief, the climb to Shafer Point is fine, but thereafter you will find that the trails are on the perilous side. The trail becomes quite narrow and is consistently exposed to a cliff on at least one side at all times. Descending Stable Ridge is more of the same, and you’ll want to consult your map as it’s not 100% clear how to descend without a bit of trial and error - the dirt underfoot is quite loose here too.

In short, this is a great adventure, can be done rather quickly, and has some phenomenal views, but make absolutely sure you understand before bringing children that there are elements of the trail that are scary/actually perilous. We will probably be talking about the hike forever, and it was...

this trail said it was kid friendly. it definitely wasn’t. after walking up the stairs, you were walking on a very thing path of the very edge of the butte (or whatever you want to call it) the trail said it was a green path but it definitely wasn’t. there were no signs to mark where to get down. we went up the ladder, and eventually found the stairs but being it was such a thin path we didn’t go on it. we had to climb a wooden ladder down the side of this 700 foot butte. this trail is DEFINITELY not kid friendly and i would not recommend at all unless you’re up for the climb. if our group got to enjoy the view it would’ve been nice but we were too worried about trying to find where to get down without taking the ladder. there were some horses at the top and that was cool but it was not a good...

Definitely had fun hiking this trail. There’s even a prairie dog town on the top. Beautiful open views of badlands and over look of Medora. Saw deer while descending. I personally find descending trail signage was sometimes confusing, but when in doubt just follow the trail trace. Agree that if you are afraid of height, this could be an adventure for you.

Update: this is a great route during golden hours and great for sunrise/sunsets. Going up along the ladder, turn right going along the ridge trail back down takes in total about half an hour. 400 feet elevation. Great as part of...